Paul Goble: For Moscow, Georgia is a tool, Armenia is a way, and Azerbaijan is a prize

by
David Stepanyan

Saturday, August 9, 15:18

For Moscow, Georgia is a tool, Armenia is a way, and Azerbaijan is a prize, says famous U.S. analyst Paul Goble in an interview with Voice of America.

According to him, Moscow has found itself in a very complicate situation and exerts pressure on Yerevan to make it join the Customs Union. Apparently Russia is on Armenia's side today and uses Yerevan for its own goals only. In this light, Armenia, a country that suffers a dangerous period, should chose long-term rather than momentary measures to get out of that situation. For lack of good options, Goble says, Yerevan is reluctant to choose the lesser of the two evils.

Goble blames Moscow for annexing Crimea and warns Armenia to avoid annexing Karabakh not to face a new war and international isolation. Nevertheless, Goble blames the West for double standards. According to him, the West is also responsible for the aggressive policy of Russia. Nevertheless, Goble predicts sooner changes for Russia, which will affect the CIS countries.

In this light, Goble says, Armenia must think of its future, which requires resolution of the Karabakh conflict on the basis of an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Moscow does not want the conflict's resolution not to lose its levers of pressure on Yerevan. Paul Goble recommends Armenia not to see Russia as its only ally not to remain dependent on it for more decades.